Brexit: dismay and concern after historic decision to leave EU: British arts organisations and artists are dismayed by the results of the European referendum, in which 52% of voters opted to leave. The decision by David Cameron to resign as prime minister in the early autumn has only added to the political and economic uncertainty, which will increase difficulties in the art world.

‘British exports still desirable’: UK artist Jenny Saville smashes record at Sotheby’s: For those sitting in the saleroom of Sotheby’s last night, the turmoil on the financial markets following the UK’s decision to leave the European Union (EU) seemed a distant memory.

Nazi-Looted Art returned by Germany to the high-ranking Nazis who looted it rather than returning it to rightful owners: Germany returned Nazi-looted art to the high-ranking Nazi families who stole it rather than to the families from whom it was taken. The London-based Commission for Looted Art in Europe (CLAE) has discovered this remarkable scandal which has been covered up by Germany for decades.

What Germany’s tough new law could mean for the antiquities market: Antiquities dealers in Germany are fighting to head off a new law they fear could deal a death blow to a trade already in terminal decline.

In the Aftermath of $1.9 Million Versailles Scandal, Kraemer Gallery Pulls Out of Biennale Des Antiquaires: The antiques dealer Kraemer Gallery, currently involved in a $1.9 million forgery scandal, has pulled out from participating in the prestigious Paris art and antiques fair Biennale des Antiquaires, slated to take place next September.

Spanish Police Release List of Works Confiscated from Collector Benito Amor: Spain’s Guardia Civil has released the inventory of works seized from collector Benito Amor, totaling over 10,000 pieces of art and antiques, including an alleged fragment of Jesus’s cross. The collector had been arrested over several counts of theft, and questions remain as to the provenance of many of these works

Canadian artist sues Damien Hirst, alleging copyright infringement: A Halifax-based artist is suing Damien Hirst for copyright infringement, claiming several pieces for sale in Hirst’s online shop are direct copies of her own. In a suit filed in New York District Court June 10, Colleen Wolstenholme, a sculptor and jewelry designer, alleges that a series of bracelets and necklaces for sale in Hirst’s shop, Other Criteria, are unauthorized copies of works she first began making in 1996.

Isil rampage continues with destruction of the Temple of Nabu in northern Iraq: The destruction of the Temple of Nabu in the Assyrian city of Nimrud in northern Iraq by the Islamic State (Isil) has been condemned by Unesco and a leading UK archaeologist. As part of its propaganda campaign, the jihadist group issued video footage earlier this month that appeared to show part of the ancient archaeological site being blown up.

Shanghai’s alternative Bank gallery evicted from state-owned building: The boundary-pushing, trend-setting Shanghai gallery Bank is being forced to shut on Sunday, 19 June, after only six days’ notice, due to a recent policy that bans private entities from renting state-owned properties.

Zendai owner turns his back on property, and looks instead to art: The founder and chairman of Shanghai-based Zendai Group, has had wonderful success in sniffing trends in the mainland’s property sector, reaping the rewards.

NOTE: Please note that most excerpts come from the original publication and any credit must go to the author of the publication, not to Constantine Cannon LLP. Any views or opinions expressed in the excerpts and/or articles belong solely to the author of the publication. Constantine Cannon LLP does not approve or endorse any view or opinion contained therein. Due to some copyright restrictions, please do not redistribute this email without our consent. Should you like to include someone in the mailing list, please let us know. We will be happy to do it! If you do not wish to receive the Art Law News Update, please unsubscribe through the link below.